Some medical marijuana patients will claim they have a doctor's prescription for medical marijuana, but marijuana prescriptions are in fact illegal. Even though fourteen states have removed state-level penalties for the medical use of marijuana, it is classified by the federal government as a Schedule I drug and doctors are unable to prescribe marijuana to their patients. And since cannabis cannot be prescribed, medical marijuana patients cannot go to a pharmacy to fill a prescription for medical marijuana.

All medical marijuana states have their own requirements for marijuana recommendations, but a medical marijuana recommendation is more or less a statement from your physician stating that in his or her professional opinion, you might benefit from the medical use of marijuana. In a few states, a doctor’s recommendation is all you need to legally use cannabis for medicinal purposes. But most medical marijuana states also require patients to register with the state and obtain a medical marijuana card. But before you can register for a cannabis card you must first acquire a marijuana recommendation.

So what’s the difference between a medical marijuana recommendation and a marijuana prescription? A medical marijuana recommendation will help you gain legal access to medical cannabis, and a marijuana prescription will not. If marijuana physicians or marijuana clinics claims that they will write you a prescription for pot, chances are you’ve encountered medical marijuana fraud.

For peace of mind, book medical marijuana appointments with medical marijuana physicians you can trust. And remember, there is no such thing as a prescription for marijuana. Medical marijuana doctors can only write medical cannabis recommendations, which can be valid for up to one year. Medical marijuana doctors also cannot be affiliated with marijuana collectives or distributors, and cannot recommend a marijuana dispensary.